#35 And #37 In Polls - Should We Be Higher?

[USFMikeB]

There are some folks out there that feel USF should have been ranked higher than we were in the AP and Coach's polls.  Personally, I disagree, I think we're probably ranked about where we should be.  Why?  Because we lost games last year that we should have won.  Inconsistency in our football program is one of the last remaining stumbling blocks that needs to be overcome in order to make it to the next level, as far as I'm concerned.  Since we were inconsistent last season (Kansas and  Cincy come to mind), I cannot see us ranked this year unless we show that we have resolved that during this season.

However, I'm interested in hearing from the people that think we got robbed.  If you believe USF should have been preseason ranked, then who do you think should NOT have been ranked?

[E.T.]

Polls are opinions ... I have no problem of where we are at in these 2 polls.

It's an accomplishment for USF to be in both polls receiving votes in year 11.

Go BULLS !!!

[Jihme]

According to the AP Poll run-down on sportscenter... the question asked was "Who will be this year's Wake Forrest?"

Reponse: "South Florida.  They should be ranked but they aren't."

Very nice

[USF Colby]

I think polls should not start until after week 7 because guess what USF has to pass 34 teams to make it to #1 in one poll and 26 teams to make it to #1 in the other poll. So basically to make it to number 1 they need to go undefeated and then hope all of those teams lose at least one and some would have to lose twice like USC and Florida who play tough schedules and are already ranked high.

As for where we should rank right now #1, and we should be tied with the other 119 teams because none of the teams have played a game yet. I don't think it's fair that after week 1 USC could beat Idaho 35-30 and remain #1 and yet Tennessee could go to Cal and win by 50 and only be ranked #9 or 10 probably at best. Thats why I think preseason, and early season polls are stupid. USC hasn't played a game and yet they already control their own destiny just like they did in 2004 when Auburn went 12-0 in the SEC and didn't make the title game. Go undefeated in the nations best conference and not make the title game? Thats a byproduct of preseason polls. I guarantee if the polls started in week 7 Auburn would have made the national title game and I don't think USC would have made it because they had some close calls, either that or Oklahoma would have been left out because of their weak schedule.

[Paul Wall]

Yeah we are overrated!

[Herman_Momart]

We should be ranked lower.  We return a lot of starters on defense,  our DBs are sick, our QB is one more year experienced, our running game was non-existent last year and we have a new offensive coordinator.  No more 3 and 5 Grothe up the gut for 2 yards, will help us win games more convincingly this year. 

I would say with our tough schedule we deserve to be somewhere from 23-30 preseason.   

this months SI magazine had us preseason ranked #25

[USF Colby]

Yeah we are overrated!

You are probably joking, but we actually might be. USF lost to Kansas and Cincinnati last year, neither team is a title contender. Beating West Virginia on the road was nice but the Mountaineers made a ton of turn overs, and made mistakes in the red zone. I'm not entirely convinced that the Bulls are among the nations best yet, but third place in the Big East and a berth in the Gator Bowl is definitely an attainable goal.

[E.T.]

These polls are speculation of the coming season, not last year's performance.

But looking at last year, Kansas & Cincy were the first half of the season. USF was 4-1 to finish the 2007 year and the loss was at L'ville.

[usfgrad84]

Yeah we are overrated!

You are probably joking, but we actually might be. USF lost to Kansas and Cincinnati last year, neither team is a title contender. Beating West Virginia on the road was nice but the Mountaineers made a ton of turn overs, and made mistakes in the red zone. I'm not entirely convinced that the Bulls are among the nations best yet, but third place in the Big East and a berth in the Gator Bowl is definitely an attainable goal.

What does losing to KU and Cincinnati have to do with this year?  if you had the chance to follow th team last year at all, you'll know that we were a completely different team at the end of the year.  The KU game was Grothe's first away game and only 3rd start.  At that point in the year we were still basically piecing together our offensive line.  We had no experienced running back.  We were still trying to figure out how to play with (what was supposed to be) 3 of our biggest contributors.  Completely different circumstances this year. 

As far as UC, I happen to think they were just as good a team as we were last year.  In that game, they completely outcoached us.  Period.

That being said,  feel the polls about us are probably about right.  Still no real proven back of any significance from an offense that really didin't show a whole lot.  No real proven big time playmakers other than Grothe.  Still lots to prove on offense.  The polls are giving us enough credit on d, but still reflect the questions on offense.  We'll get it done on the field to be ranked by season's end.  i feel pretty god about the season.

[Matt]

, but third place in the Big East and a berth in the Gator Bowl is definitely an attainable goal.

3rd place in the big east does NOT get us to the Gator Bowl.

3rd place and we are probably still back in Charlotte.